Daily Sports Roundup
Sunday, January 31
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The NFL stages its Pro Bowl, the Penguins take on the Red Wings, and the Celtics and Lakers renew their rivalry in Boston.
Colliding on the gridiron . . .
The National Football League spices up its Super Bowl off-week with the Pro Bowl this season; the selected players from the AFC and NFC will meet at 7:20pm ET at Miami's Sun Life Stadium on Sunday night. Oddsmakers like the NFC in this contest, which won't feature any players from either the Colts or the Saints. The NFC is pegged as the 2.5-point favorite, with the total set at 57 points. Indy is the 5.5-point Super Bowl fave, with that total pegged at 56.5 points.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
There are nine games on tap in the NBA on Sunday, with Denver at San Antonio, the Clippers at Cleveland, Orlando at Detroit, Philadelphia at New Jersey, Indiana at Toronto, Phoenix at Houston, New York at Minnesota, Golden State at Oklahoma City, and the Lakers at Boston. This will be the first meeting of the season between the Lakers and Celtics; they'll play again in Los Angeles on February 18. The Lakers were 2-0 against the Celtics during the 2008/09 season.
As well, there are four ranked teams in action around college basketball on Sunday, with Florida at No. 14 Tennessee, Minnesota at No. 20 Ohio State, No. 17 Pittsburgh at South Florida, and Penn State at No. 10 Purdue. The Boilermakers (17-3 SU, 8-11-1 ATS) slipped past Wisconsin for a 60-57 win in their last contest, with E'Twaun Moore pouring in 20 points in the victory for Purdue. The Nittany Lions (8-12 SU, 7-10-1 ATS) are 0-8 against Big 10 teams.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, the National Hockey League finishes up its January schedule with six games on Sunday, including Tampa Bay at Washington, the Islanders at Florida, Los Angeles at New Jersey, Phoenix at Dallas, and the Rangers at Colorado. As well, Pittsburgh will play host to Detroit in a 12:30pm ET contest; the Penguins and Red Wings haven't met since last year's Stanley Cup final. Pittsburgh will be looking to bounce back from a 4-1 loss to Ottawa in their last game on Thursday.
Today's Wagering Tips
Sunday, January 31
Lines off the board
Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs – Carmelo Anthony (knee) has missed the last three games and is doubtful.
Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics – Kobe Bryant (ankle) is questionable.
Los Angeles Clippers at Cleveland Cavaliers – Chris Kaman (ankle) missed Friday’s game and is questionable.
Philadelphia 76ers at New Jersey Nets – Devin Harris (wrist) has missed the last three games and is doubtful.
Los Angeles Kings at New Jersey Devils – Kings played Saturday night. Patrik Elias (concussion) is doubtful. Davis Drewiske (shoulder) and Jack Johnson (arm) both missed Saturday’s game and are doubtful.
Phoenix Coyotes at Dallas Stars – Jere Lehtinen (neck) is probable. Scottie Upshall (leg) is doubtful.
New York Rangers at Colorado Avalanche – Rangers played Saturday night. Henrik Lundqvist (flu) missed Saturday’s game and is questionable. Marek Svatos (chest) is questionable.
Lines to keep an eye on
The Knicks-Timberwolves total dropped from an opener of 212 to 211. Minnesota has played to the over in four straight.
The Capitals quickly moved from a -250 opener to -255 or -260 in some markets. Washington has won nine straight games.
Weather to watch
A 30 percent chance of showers is expected all day in Miami, Fla., and throughout the Pro Bowl. Wind is forecasted to be blowing from 10-12 mph out of the north-northeast (sideline to sideline).
Who’s hot
The NFC has won two straight Pro Bowls by margins of nine and 12 points.
Florida has won four straight SEC games and is 3-1 ATS during that stretch.
Who’s not
The Rockets have lost four straight ATS and eight of their last 10.
Golden State has dropped four consecutive games, two straight ATS and is in team turmoil (see note below).
Key stat
7.3 – Points per game Joey Graham is averaging since taking over in a starting role for Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is averaging 29.7 ppg this season and the Nuggets scored a season-low 84 points Friday night.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Rockets guard Kyle Lowry will miss 1-2 weeks with a knee injury. An integral member of Houston’s bench, Lowry is averaging 8.6 points and 4.7 assists this season. The slumping Rockets are laying 3 points at home to Phoenix Sunday.
Games of the day
Pro Bowl – NFL vs. AFC (+3, 57)
Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics (N/A)
Detroit Red Wings at Pittsburgh Penguins (-160, 5.5)
Notable quotables
"Yesterday was punting, today was kickoffs, tomorrow will be field goals. If they're going to let me do it, I'm going to do it early in the game before they get serious and they start to play for real."
Chad Ochocinco said after Tuesday’s practice in hopes of being used as a kicker during the Pro Bowl.
“That’s bulls**t.”
Ravens’ running back Willis McGahee wrote on his Twitter account regarding Bryant McKinnie’s suspension from the NFC team.
Tips and notes
Over the last 10 Pro Bowls, an average of 66.4 points per game has been scored. The total for Sunday’s game is posted at 57 and six of the last eight Pro Bowls have surpassed that number.
Of Phil Mickelson’s 37 career PGA Tour victories, 13 have come when he was trailing heading into the final round. Mickelson is four strokes off the lead heading into Sunday of the Farmers Insurance Open and is getting +515 odds to win the tournament.
Warriors head coach Don Nelson and his players have been clashing this season. Leading scorer Monta Ellis has had a few disputes with Nelson and now Corey Maggette is disgruntled. Maggette’s playing time has dropped significantly the last two games. Nelson also has a nagging back and did not get off the bench Friday night.